Amplimmune

Amplimmune is a Maryland-based biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapeutics that modulate the immune system to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. Founded in 2007 by researchers from Johns Hopkins University, the company specialized in the B7 family of costimulatory and coinhibitory molecules. Its lead candidate, AMP-224, was a first-in-class PD-L2 Fc fusion protein designed to target PD-1 expressing T cells. In 2013, the company was acquired by MedImmune, the biologics division of AstraZeneca, for up to $500 million to strengthen its immuno-oncology portfolio. The acquisition provided AstraZeneca with key assets in the competitive PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor market.